....AND BABY MAKES SIX!

10:21 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Kiersten Fern Olmsted was born on December 15th, 2009 at 9am. She weighed 9lbs 2 oz at birth.


We arrived at the Hospital at 6:15 am. I was changed into a gown and put on the monitors to get readings on baby's heart rate and see if I was contracting or not ( I was not). Baby looked good! My IV was placed and they started the saline solution. I talked with the anesthesiologist, the Surgeons, and before long it was time to hear to the OR! For the first time ever I was wheeled there on a bed.... With all my other girls I walked into the OR. We left Andrew in the hall, he would be called in after I was numbed. I moved to the operating table and got in position for my spinal. During this time the check blood pressure and other vitals before starting the spinal. They had a hard time getting an accurate read on my blood pressure. Apparently I am between cuff sizes. eventually they got that fixed and started the spinal. This time the spinal went pretty quick. I am always happy when it is done. Sitting there trying to hold still is nerve wracking every time! I immediately started feeling numb, and my legs were heavy as they lay me down and set up for surgery. It seemed like an eternity before Andrew was by my side but eventually he was there to hold my hand as we waited for our 4th daughter to be born.


At 9am on the dot Kiersten entered the world screaming..... the most amazing sound EVER! Tears instantly roll down my face as they call for Andrew to cut her cord. After several minutes Kiersten was brought to my head so I could see her. After a quick photo and a kiss she and Andrew went to my recovery room to wait for me.


I spent the next hour and twenty minutes on the table, getting my tubes tied and then being closed up. I could slowly feel more and more of the doctors touches and eventually pulling and pinching. They had to give me some local anesthetic to finish up.
While I was being closed up Andrew was able to spend time with our baby. After the initial weigh in they left him with her, he fed her some formula, and just held her. He also got to help give her her first Bath. This experience for him was way different than all the other girls where they were taken to the nursery and he stood by their side but did not get to touch or interact with them at all. He was very surprised and happy to have had that time with our newborn.


Eventually we were all back together in recovery. I got to hold Kiersten and nurse her. Phone calls were made to family. OUR Family was now complete!


She is amazing, her sisters adore her and love on her constantly. She nurses like a champ! we are off to a good start. She's slowly making progress getting her days and nights switched around. LIFE is GOOD!

Less than two weeks.....

8:53 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
In so many ways I can not believe that our little one will be here in less than two weeks. It seems like we just found out that we were expecting, and I held My breathe for 3 months hoping and praying that everything was OK with baby. Then once we knew it was and could tell the girls Andrew had to leave on Deployment. Which seemed like forever while he was gone But once he was back it seemed to really shorten the pregnancy. He Left when I was 12 weeks pregnant and returned at 30 weeks. So here we are down to the wire ready to welcome our last little one in 13 short days!
I LOVE being pregnant. I am very fortunate to have fairly un-eventful pregnancies. Other than our one first trimester loss I have not had any terrible symptoms or reactions to being pregnant. We have healthy HUGE babies! So I have to have c-sections, which is why this will be our last. We have decided that 4 cuts to my uterus is enough beyond this the risks go way up and I have to consider my family. I wish I could give my husband a SON but It seems together we are pretty good at making beautiful girls. So as I near the end of this pregnancy it is all bitter sweet. I lay in bed every night and watch my belly moving and savor that feeling of a little life inside me. I do not know if it is easier knowing this is my last or not.
I am also SOOO excited to meet Kiersten and see her with her sisters who are bursting at the seams in anticipation of holding their baby sister. Not to mention how excited I am to see a baby in my husband's arms once again, he is an amazing father and has always been so wonderful with our babies.
This delivery will be the first time my Mother can not be here with us. I am very blessed to have friends and Family here that are going out of their way to help us out with the big girls, But I can not help but wish Mom was able to be here. There is just something comforting about knowing she is near and knowing my girls are in the care of their grandmother when their father and I can not be with them.
I am also getting nervous as I always do about the spinal. That is the worst part of the c-section process (ok the stomach bile juice I have to drink is pretty awful too). My husband would disagree with me BUT he is not the one who has to get the needle in the back, Just like I am not the one who has to watch the blood and gore of the delivery (in his eyes this is the worst part).
But in the end we will have out lil' miracle and it will all be worth it. She may be the most spoiled yet being the BABY of the family and all. NOW I just have to WAIT 13 more days.....

LIFE!

9:41 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Well the Last couple of weeks have been very busy. The girls were on Fall Break at school (year round calendar), and we were preparing for the return of Andrew (A.K.A. Daddy). We were lucky to have the chance for Andrew to take Leave out of Hawaii one week before the ship actually returned home. We were ALL very excited for homecoming and made signs, cleaned house, and baked a cake all in preparation for his return home. Wednesday Oct. 14th was a GREAT day! The flight arrived at the airport on base about 5:15 and we were at Outback for dinner By 6pm. The girls could hardly contain themselves they were so excited to have daddy home. I think he must have gotten a hundred or more kisses throughout dinner. Kate kept saying "I misted you daddy"!
Thursday was a normal school day for Meghan and Melanie, we all walked to school and then Kate and I enjoyed the morning at home with Andrew before heading out for my hair cut and some shopping. Yes I cut My hair REALLY short and I am not exactly loving it but hopefully it will grow. I had a lot of damage to my hair that needed to be cut out. I had a run in with the grill a few weeks ago in which I scorched my hair from a huge ball of fire shooting out of the gas grill after I had not lit it correctly (that was scary). Then I decided to color my own hair after which my poor hair was totally fried so NOW... I look like a boy.... BUT it will grow... RIGHT???
Also on Thursday we had the big 4D ultrasound. Big question "what is the gender"??? Well we found out that we will indeed be welcoming our fourth girl. No shocker there. I must say I was more disappointed than I expected. I love My girls and KNOW I will love this one just as much, BUT... this is our last baby and I am a bit disappointed that I will not EVER have a boy, and that I was unable to give my husband a boy. HE (my husband) is fine with it, possibly because ALL of our girls are daddy's girls they adore him. So one more girl is just more attention and love for daddy.... where is mama's boy???? OR even mama's Girl??? Don't get me wrong, I know my girls love there mom but no one ever fights to sit by me or be my partner in a game, they always want daddy. Anyway, I digress..... It's A GIRL... now what will her name be???? That debate may go on for a while. I have taken to calling her "baby what's her name" in an effort to spark some sense of urgency in my husband who turns down every name I offer up.

Offically have a birthdate picked out!

8:33 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Today I went to see the OBGYN for our 29 week Check. All is going well. We listened to a strong Heart Beat in the 150's (had been in the 130's prior to today but there was a lot of activity today). Fun fact... I am measuring 35 weeks, looks like big baby #4 for the Olmsted family. We do not make dainty, frail lil' babies. Our babies come out chubby and thankfully very healthy. The Dr. said she was going to go ahead and order an ultrasound, and I would have another at 36 weeks. Delivery is set for 39 weeks, December 15th to be exact. We are the first case of the day so that is good news since the worst part of a c-section for me is the fact that I can not eat after midnight the night before. Momma gets cranky with no food!
My Mother will be happy to know that I got my flu Vaccine today! I will also be getting the H1N1 when it is available but they do not have it yet. I also am taking all three girls to get their vaccines on Friday and am praying with all my might that they can do the nose spray vaccine versus an actual injection But will bribe them with ice cream to get the injection done if needed.
We have a 4D ultrasound Scheduled for Oct. 15th so that The Daddy and The Sisters get to see our lil' one. With a little luck we'll also get a peak at "THE GOODS". This would be very helpful in the great baby name debate. My husband is not interested in discussing girl names when he is under the delusion we COULD have a boy. I think I have a pretty consistent track record going here.

Pregnancy Update 28 weeks

6:59 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
..... 11 to go! I am Ok with that... I need those 11 weeks since I have not been able to prepare for this baby AT all she can just stay in there a while. We have about 9 weeks after my Andrew comes home to Bust our Butts and get ready for our fourth and final lil' one. Hopefully that is enough time to prepare!


So hear I am looking big and Prego....

I am doing pretty well at this point still comfortable and able to get around well. I am starting to experience some swelling in my hands and feet, but over all am doing well.

As for baby? what is going on in there......

To me it feels like a gymnastics tournament. LOTS of tumbling and thumping and bumping stretching and pushing. I can feel movement all the time If I just pause for a couple of seconds and sometimes without even thinking about it I can feel the movements. She is most active in the evening when I am relaxing after the big Sisters are in bed.

Our little work in progress is now about 2.5 pounds and almost 16 inches long. She's busy adding new skills such as blinking to an already impressive repertoire of tricks like coughing, sucking, hiccuping, and taking practice breaths. At this point the lungs are also nearly fully matured, so we can start to breathe a little easier that we are at the point in which this baby can survive outside the womb. (although mom needs those 11 weeks so do not even think about it lil' one!).

**** To all who have not noticed or participated I added a baby pool on the right side there-----> it would be fun if you'd add your guess!****

Remembering 911

11:02 AM Edit This 0 Comments »

I know we ALL remember every second of that day as if it were yesterday. In some ways it is hard to believe it has been eight years.
Meghan was born on 8-13-01. Labor day weekend 2001 We moved our new family from upstate NY to Chesapeake VA. Andrew was to report to the USS Enterprise on Friday Sept. 14, 2001. The Enterprise was on deployment at that time and due to return within a few weeks of Andrews report date. This meant that he would work Shore side until the ship returned home.
On Tuesday September 11, 2001 I was the first awake at the house. I had gotten up with Meghan that morning went to the living room turned on The Today show. They were reporting that an airplane had flown into one of the Two tower of the world trade center. I went back to the bedroom told Andrew what happened and Just as I sat back down in the living room I watched the second plane hit the second tower and my heart dropped instantly. I knew this was NO coincidence. In tears I returned to the bedroom and Andrew joined me on the couch where we stayed in our pajamas holding our 4 week old baby for the entire day.

The Enterprise which had left the golf days before 9-11 was the closest aircraft carrier and battle group at that time, they were immediately turned around and were the first to respond flying missions over Afghanistan within days. Mean while my husband reported as he was scheduled to on Friday the 14th. On Monday September 17th, 2001 My husband was on a plane to join the Enterprise for an undetermined amount of time. At that point we did not know when he would return. He left on a military flight so although I was concerned for his safety I was more comfortable with a military flight than a domestic flight. Luckily the extension for the Enterprise ended up being on the shorter side and Andrew returned home in November.

Isn't it too EARLY for NESTING????

7:49 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
Really I am only 25 weeks pregnant. I am Not going Crazy BUT I feel the need to get things ready fro the baby. Like resolve the sleeping arrangements as to where we will be putting all the children and what kind of bed we need to purchase. I would also Like to get out and organize ALL the baby stuff If we are having a girl I have almost everything BUT if we are having a boy I need almost everything. I do not want to sort and wash and fold tons of girlie things if I do not need to. We have the Crib and the high chair and I have a wish list a mile long but again can not BUY anything due to the fact that I do not know the gender (I do not know how people do that whole surprise bologna). This is our last baby and for all the others I bought stuff thinking Oh if the next one is a boy we should get this in Neutral so it can be used by either gender But NOW for my last baby... that is out the window... I want gender specific. If we are having a girl I want a girlie nursery If we are having a boy I want an ALL boy nursery. This is the last hurrah and I am having enough trouble accepting that fact so I should get my way... right?? In addition to the fact that I do not know the gender of this baby I do not have the Hubby here to dig everything out of the garage and put the crib together and HELP me prepare for our baby. So basically I am stuck looking at things Online and sending photo's to my hubby and trying to make decisions so that when things Fall into place hopefully in about a month we'll be able to Just make it happen!

Life

11:03 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
Well after all the excitement last weekend, and a wirlwind week. We are settling back into a routine. I am finally feeling Caught up on sleep. We are all enjoying visits with Delana, Madison and Stephanie, and are all around keeping busy. This past week FLEW by, which is great anything that can make time move faster is wonderful. We have about 40 days left of this deployment, until recently time had been dragging by. Finally thing sare picking up YAY! This coming week is looking pretty busy as well. I have a pre-natal check up, Melanie is getting her expander removed, I am hoping to volunteer at school one day, and Melanie is back into Ballet class so we have that on Thursday as well. But first we have to make it through a three day weekend in which My girls are begging for something fun to do, I am hoping the heat wave breaks and I find more energy and my house is begging for a little attention as well.

Needing a duplicate me....

3:29 PM Edit This 2 Comments »
and NOT because I am SO awesome But because I wish I could do more than I am able too.
This past Friday morning dark and early (before the sun came up) The newest Olmsted decided to make her appearance after much waiting on her mother's part. My Sister -In-Law (Andrew's Brother's wife) Delivered her Daughter Delana Grace at 2:43 in the morning. I was the watch the big Sister person and I had a Friend who was willing to take my girls so I could be there for My niece Since My Brother-In-Law is deployed on the same ship as my Husband he could not be here for the birth.
I have spent the last 3 days running between My house and the hospital and taking care of 4 girls as best I can. While also Trying to do as much as I possibly can for my Sister-In -Law. I know If I were in her shoes it would be so HARD to have a baby without my husband and I would hope I had people around me who were able to step up and Help.
If I had a double it would be sooo much easier!!! I could do so much more. But alas I guess I can not do all that I would like to do....

Meghan is 8 ....

1:20 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
Wow I can not believe My first lil baby girl is Eight years old. She is growing way to fast! Where did the time go. It seems like yesterday she was just toddling around getting into things and "helping" with everything.
Meghan Allyse has ALWAYS been a Daddy's girl from day one right out of the womb she had him wrapped around her finger and he was her everything. She was fine with me if daddy was not there But if he was she wanted him. When she got a little older she learned what daddy wore when he went to work and would cry whenever she saw him getting ready for work. She LOVES her daddy! As her Mother it was hard to take that my baby wanted her daddy more than me. However, watching the their relationship over the years has been wonderful, and as she gets a little older she is coming around to loving us a little more equally although I know she will always hold a special place for her daddy. It is hard on him to miss Birthdays, This is two in a row for Miss Meghan.
Meghan is our little Artist. She is Shy, and self conscious and loves to dance and sing But hates the idea of anyone watching her. She is not a spur of the moment girl she has to emotional prepare herself for any and ever kind of performance. If she has to speak in front of the class we have to rehearse for days so she know what she is doing and saying and can put away some of that performance anxiety. She loves to plan shows and events and let others perform them and shine she is happy to stand by knowing she planned it!
I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Meghan!
Happy BIRTHDAY Meghan! Mommy and Daddy Love you so much!

20 weeks! or half way

6:23 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
Actually it is more than half way for me since i will most likely deliver this baby in my 38th week. I will be having a scheduled C-Section and therefore am typically scheduled 7-10 days before my due date. So here I am all big and Preggo!

Today We had the big ultrasound to check on baby's growth and hopefully find out the gender. We ended up not being so lucky in the gender department. The Lil' one was all curled up on it's tummy with it's little legs tucked under it's hinney! The tech tried and tried but no luck!



She did tell me that out little one is measuring right on for 20 weeks and weighs about 12 ounces right now. Incredible that this tiny person is less than a pound and wriggling and kicking and causing the above BIG belly! I'm smitten.... It is always amazing to see that life on the screen.
So here are the photo's we got!








I found her....

8:21 AM Edit This 2 Comments »
My Kate that is... I had hopped the real Kate was still in there under all that 3 year old miserable-ness. Yesterday I found her.... In Hollywood (after a 2.5 hr car ride) non the less! We had planned a day trip to LA for Myself , Kate, Michaela and Alyana (who are visiting with us). Meghan and Melanie had school and were to go to a friends house after for a play date (I did not think they would enjoy LA much anyway). I feared what the day may bring for Kate. It could have been an utter disaster. I knew that there was not going to be a lot for her to do, mostly walking and looking and non of that really interests a 3year old. We had the stroller for her so she could walk or ride whatever she wanted. I had decided ahead of time that I would not force her to do anything if she was not cooperating, the big girls could go ahead and I'd stay with Kate.



SHE WAS AWESOME! we had an amazing day. It is not often I have her alone so it was nice to be able to talk with her and walk holding hands and watch her browse the stores. She found this little Tinkerbell purse in a store (probably the 5 th one we were in) it was the only thing she had asked for all day and it was only $3 so I let her buy it, gave her the money and let her go to the counter. She was thrilled the rest of the day with her little purse. It was funny almost like she had something in mind and was shopping for it. She looked at every store but only asked for this one thing all day.


We went to Madam Tussuad's Wax Museum. She walked around and was a bit afraid of the wax figures. It was comical at times how she's shy away. Until we saw Shrek! SHE WAS VERY EXCITED!!! He was huge and you would have though intimidating to a small child but she was thrilled! We all had a lot of fun in the Museum. There was a lot of glass stuff in the gift shop on the way out. I was nervous about her looking at things and kept telling her not to touch. So what happens??? I try on a pair of sun glasses (bat girl style) and upon placing them back in the wrack they fall and land in a glass and the glass shatters!!! Oh dear... worse yet the sales lady was standing right there.... OOPSY! The lady assured me it was no big deal as I fell over myself apologizing! We quickly High tailed it out of there after that!

On our way home we were stuck in the most horrid traffic! the 2.5 hour trip took 4.5 hours to get home. Again in the car she was an angel! singing and joking around Laughing and even making light of having to wait (what I am sure seemed like an eternity to her) to find a bathroom when she had to pee.

Words can not explain how happy I was to see my sweet little girl back again, even if it does not last at least I know she is still in there somewhere.

10 YEARS!

2:01 PM Posted In , , , Edit This 0 Comments »
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY HUSBAND! and also Thank you too him for putting up with Me all these years!!



I am absolutely the Luckiest Lady in the World! My husband is the most amazingly patient, loving, understanding devoted man I have ever met. I often wonder what I have done to deserve him.



He saved me from myself at a time when I did not even realize I needed to be rescued. He has spent the last 10 years making all my dreams come true! He is not only the love of my life but My best friend and Partner in LIFE!






The above is the day we were "married" July 29, 1999, By the Mayor of Saratoga Springs







And this is our wedding Day July 29th 2000... a Truely wonderful day!



In 10 years together we have Moved 5 times, lived in 3 different States, bought 2 brand new vehicles, Traveled across country, been seperated for 36+ months by deployments and underway. We have also been blessed with 3 beautiful Daughters, Crushed by loss of a baby at 10 weeks gestation, and are currently pregnant with our 4th and Final lil' one! We have yet to Buy a house, experience life outside the Military, go on a cruise together, or Live in one house in one state for more than 3 years. There is so very much more that we will do that I can not even fathom. With Andrew by my side anything is possible!

It has been an absolutely incredible, amazing, wonderful 10 years and I look forward to every day that is to come!

I LOVE YOU

ANDREW DALTON OLMSTED!

First Day of School

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Today Meghan and Melanie started school. Meghan is Now in the Third grade.... Honestly how in the world did that happen??? She will be eight years old in Two weeks. Her Teacher this year is Mrs. Rubio. The first day seemed to go well. She says that her teacher is Funny, which is a big selling point for her she learns really well when it is fun! Melanie has Mrs. Camberos this year for first grade. Let me tell you how happy I am that she is out of half day kindergarten!! WOO HOO!!! We walk to and from school and last year I felt like my entire day was spent trekking back and fourth to school. Mel did not say too much about school today just that it was good. She is excited about eating lunch there and her best friend from Kindergarten is in her class so all is good with the World. I actually got to meet Mrs. Camberos before school started today and thought she seemed very sweet. I am sure Melanie will have her wrapped around her little finger in no time. Melanie is your typical brown noser!! She is perfecting her role as the teachers pet quite nicely!

SO here are a couple of photos.....



FAILING

2:30 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
It seems like Kate has been increasingly more needy and demanding since Andrew left on deployment and this has been greatly compounded by Meghan and Melanie being out of school and us being on Vacation and our regular routine being totally disrupted. At this point she is spinning out of control and I do not know what to do to get her back.

I am failing her and that really tares me apart. I am her Mother and should be able to find someway to help her function under all the stresses of our life right now. I just do not know what to do. Lately she is totally defiant and will argue with me about everything and anything. She wants me and only me the majority of the time and is not willing to compromise no matter what.

I feel like I am just waiting.... waiting to be back at home maybe that will fix her.... Nope did not work... Now maybe once Meghan and Melanie are back in school we can get Kate back to normal.... we'll see. Unfortunately we are traveling again the beginning of August so Normal will not happen around here for quite some time!

A Coincidence?

5:20 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
On our travels from Missouri to Ohio yesterday I was struck by what to me has to be more than mere coincidence. At approximately 10:30 am I was driving into Effigham, Illinois listening to my Ipod. On my play list I have about 220 songs, and I listen on shuffle so I do not go through a period of the same artist for several songs I like the mix. I have an interesting mix of music including a lot of country, some alternative, some 80's rock, (ahem) Hannah Montana, Mylie Cyrus, high school musical, and several Disney cartoon favorites. Also in this collection is the entire album of Alan Jackson's Hymns "precious memories". Honestly this is the only christian music I own, I love it, It reminds me of My Pappy Trigg who led singing in church nearly every Sunday he was able to attend for more than 10 years. When listening to most of these songs that I have sang at church so many times over the years I can hear pappy's voice clear as day. Takes me back.. You know?


SO anyway Yesterday as I was approaching effingham "standing on the promises" comes on the Ipod and pappy and I are singing awak he in my head me right out loud. As I gaze at the road ahead The HUGE White cross appears at the side of the road this is not the first time I have seen it, it has always been there But this time I approach it as I am belting out a church hymn on a Sunday morning when.... I should be in church. Just as I am at the Cross "standing on the promises" concludes and is immediately followed by "when we all get to heaven". It nearly took my breathe away. What are the chances out of 220 songs on shuffle I would hear two songs from the same album in a row let alone that those songs would both be hymns and be on in the brief couple of minutes that the cross at the side of the road in Effingham is in my view.


I got the following information and photo from http://www.crossusa.org/



"The Cross Foundation is dedicated to building both faith and family on an ecumenical basis. The Cross Foundation has completed a 198 foot Cross at the intersection of Interstates 57 & 70 in Effingham, Illinois. This site is intended to serve as a beacon of hope to the 50,000 travelers estimated to pass the site each day. In addition, the Cross Foundation will promote the values of faith and family through other activities at the Effingham site, as well as programs to be announced shortly."

16 Weeks

11:12 AM Posted In Edit This 0 Comments »
... er 4 MONTHS that it!! YAY!!
SO we are officially 4 months into this pregnancy. Soon we or at least I will get to find out what gender our lil' one will be (not that I am expecting it to be anything other than a girl). I am a need to know these things kind of girl. I hate surprises and still can't sleep on Christmas just at the thought that someone bought ME a gift that I do not know what it is. This first 16-20 weeks of pregnancy is like Christmas eve every night... I really need this info so I can rest with the knowledge of the gender of our child. I know I will find something else to think about or worry about to keep me up at night, But it will not be dreams of boy or girl. I will post that information as soon as I know and have had a chance to share the news with my husband.


SO What is going on with baby now??

~The baby is around 17.5 cm in size and 160 g in weight.

~The baby can grasp with its hands, kick or even somersault by this time.

~The baby acquires reflex of suction and you can notice the baby stopping the swallowing action if a bitter solution is introduced into the amniotic fluid. The baby can even get hiccups in this stage.

~ The genitals are fully developed and a sonogram might be able to tell you the sex of the baby.

~The baby has developed reflexes like sucking, blinking and swallowing.

SO That is what is going on in the Womb these days!

KATIE'S BIRTHDAY!

9:57 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY GIRL!
It does not seem possible that our baby girl is 3 years old all ready. It seems like just yesterday we were at the hospital waiting to go into surgery to have our little one. She was a good baby right from the start. She put up with a lot of "LOVE" from her big sisters in the beginning and rarely put up a fuss. She has since grown into an extremely social, very verbal, inquisitive, adventurous (naughty at times) little princess with a dash of sass to hold her own in a house full of girls!
We have been so very blessed with all of our girls. Katelynn is a mixed up combination of qualities from both of her sisters. We see Melanie's dramatic side, Meghan's Artsy side, Melanie's big eye's, Meghan's curls. She also has qualities all her own (sometimes scary for mom) She is a social butterfly, has never met a stranger and would befriend anyone of any age if they are willing to listen and talk with her!
Every day is an adventure with our youngest princess we will see where tomorrow takes us!


PACKING!

9:52 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
I am a chronic over packer ... I always have been. I can come up with a laundry lists of what ifs in which I have to be prepared for. I'd love to blame it on being a mom and just trying to be prepared for the sake of my children. However..... I was an over packer long before I had children. There have been many occasions when I have gone on trips and never even worn half the clothing I brought. Honestly this was only an annoyance to my husband until We threw an airplane into the mix. When we drove everywhere we went we just added a car top carrier and were prepared BUT now... Oh now Continental has to charge me for every single bag we pack! SO now my hate to spend the money on stupid fees side is battling my need to be prepared for a winter storm in July side. This makes for fun Packing! SO what do I do..... avoid the problem, it will go away right?? Probably not, SO I gave myself a day Sunday to be exact. Sunday is packing day it will be done before I allow myself to go to bed tomorrow night which could get interesting! My goal is 2 bags... for 4 people we will see if I can do it.
****edit**** HA I DID IT!!! I also forgot to mention that we were packing to be on a month long trip! I am very proud to only have to pay for 2 bags!

Kinder Promotion

11:27 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
My Melanie is headed to first grade! Today we went to the ceremony for Kinder promotion. It was very cute! Each room had their own time slot which was nice so both parents and kids did not have to sit through 100 kindergartners getting diploma's. They sang a little song and there was a slide show of the year. As happy as I am for her to be going to 1st grade and be in school for a full day I did get a bit teary. She has grown so very much!



12 weeks

8:38 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
Hello Second Trimester!


I am feeling pretty good and starting to get snug in some of my pants, but have not gained any weight. I can feel the baby bubble in my tummy and it is getting uncomfortable to lay on my tummy. I am finding that I have a bit more energy, I am still hungry a lot but, and not having that yuck nauseous feeling any more. I am however not experiencing the heartburn again every night about the same time no matter what I eat Mr. Heartburn shows up about an hour before I usually go to bed.


So what is going on with baby?


~she is now about 2.5 inches long


~her hands are fully formed and she is growing fingernails


~her face looks unquestionably human: her eyes have moved from the sides to the front of her head, and her ears are right where they should be.

Meghan's new hair cut!

7:54 PM Posted In Edit This 2 Comments »
On Thursday night after her Shower while I was dealing with a two year old temper-tantrum from Kate, Meghan decided her bangs were too long and TRIMMED them up herself! Oh words can not explain how upset I was with her! I know I know... All Kids do this, BUT this is MY kid and I am NOT OK with it! I also know that I did the same thing at one point But still this does not help my frustration! The kicker is that we have been reading a Junie B. Jones book where she cuts her hair and have been talking about how this in not a good idea, and she went and did it anyway! GRRRRR!!!

You can probably tell by the photo (which was taken the next day after mom had time to cool down), that she is not at all upset. She was sorry that I was upset But was in no was and still is not remorseful at all about the trim job, she thinks it looks better than before. I suppose that is good because she is the one who gets to walk around looking like this for the next few weeks!

LOVE YA MEG!

A to Z all about ME!

8:31 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
A
• Are you available? No 100% Taken!
• What is your age? 30
• What annoys you? Noisy eaters
B
• Do you know anyone named Billy? Hmmm..... Not that I can think of
• When is your birthday? September 9
• Who is your best friend? Andrew and Julie
C
• What's your favorite candy? Godiva Truffles YUMMY!
• Crush? My hysband!
• When was the last time you cried? Saturday Night
D
• Do you daydream?: Occationally
.• What's your favorite kind of dog? Chocolate Lab
.• What day of the week is it? Sunday
E
• How do you like your eggs? Over Medium.
• Have you ever been in the emergency room? Yes a few times Usually not for myself though
• Ever pet an elephant? I do not think so
F
• Do you use fly swatters? Oh yes or whatever I can get my hands on!
• Have you ever used a foghorn? again Nope
• Is there a fan in your room? A box fan and a small fan.. No AC in Cali need I say more
G
• Do you chew gum? I do occationally
• Do you like gummy candies? not really
• Do you like gory movies? Not at all!
H
• How are you? Hanging in there
• What's your height? 5'3"
• What color is your hair?Blonde right now
I
• What's your favorite ice cream? I LOVE ICE CREAM!!! My current fav is Ben and Jerry's FroYo half baked!
• Have you ever ice skated? A few times in Middle school I was never very good.
• Ever been in an igloo? No
J
• What's your favorite Jelly Bean? Starburst cherry
• Have you ever heard a really hilarious joke?Oh yeah
• Do you wear jewelry? Just my wedding rings and two sets of earrings that I never take out.
K
• Who do you want to kill? I do not want to kill anyone but there are a select few I could send to another planet
• Have you ever flown a kite? yep... I love to do this!
• Do you think kangaroos are cute? I do
L• Are you laidback? That depends on who you ask
• Lions or Tigers? Tigers
• Do you like black licorice? not really
M
• Favorite movie as a kid? The Breakfast Club
• Ever shopped at Moosejaw?I have no idea what that is
• Favorite store at the mall? I have not been to a mall in a long time..... we'll go with Build-A-Bear... LOL
N
• Do you have a nickname? Janey
• Whats your favorite number? 9
• Do you prefer night or day? hmm.... Both have there pluses.... I guess days for the most part
• What's your one wish? Tobe able to Build the house of Our dreams!
• Are you an only child?No... I have to lil' brothers who I guess are not so little anymore!
• Do you like the color orange? I have nothing against orange
P
• What are you most paranoid about? Someone kidnapping my children and or breakinginto the house while we are in it
• Piercings? 3 in each ear
• Do you know anyone named Penelope?I do not
Q
• Are you quick to judge people? Not really
• Do you like Quaker Oats? in no bake cookies they are AWSOME!!
Do you know anyone that makes quilts?ME!
R
•Do you think you're always right? Most of the time
• Do you watch reality TV?Um..... yes I do it is my guilty pleasure.
• Reason to cry? missing my husband
S
• Do you prefer sun or rain? Sun please!
• Do you like snow? Yes I do once in a while
• What's your favorite season? Fall
T
• time is it? 8:56 pm.
• What time did you wake up? 7:30 am
U
• Can you ride a unicycle? NO I am not that coordinated
• Do you know anyone with a unibrow? Me, Meg, Kate.... I am pretty sure mike and rick were both blessed with it and we can ALL than My dear old Dad he has one too!
• Uncles do you have? I have one
V
• What’s the worst vegetable?Brussel Sprouts!
• Did you ever watch Veggie Tales?I LOVE veggie tales... I could sing you the song if you like
• Ever considered being vegan? Um... Not a chance I like me some meat!
W
• What's your worst habit? I really do not think I have any good habbits
• Do you like water rides? I LOVE THEM!
• Ever been inside a windmill? No
X
• Have you ever had an x-ray? yes
• Ever used a Xerox machine? Yep
Y
• Do you like the color yellow? how can you not like yellow
• What year were you born in?: 1978
• Do you yell when you're angry? Yes
Z
• Do you believe in the zodiac? No
• What's your zodiac sign? Virgo
• When was the last time you went to the zoo? Um.... I think it was in April we LOVE The Zoo!

A gift of ONE MORE!

8:28 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
Well as it turned out do to mechanical issues the ship did not leave yesterday! Yesterday I was exhausted, Katie takes a nap after Meghan gets home from school at about 2:30 so I decided to take one too. The Big girls are told not to go outside, not to answer the door or phone, and to play quiet things or watch a movie. Then know the drill! I usually take a phone into the bedroom with me But today I was so tired I forgot. I lay down at 2:45 and at 3:20 Andrew starts calling to tell me he can come home! The girls did not answer the phone, not even when they HEARD there dad on the machine and worse yet they did not come to tell me that he had called and he said right on the message that he was off the ship and could come home. Meghan told me when I woke that she heard daddy talking on the machine. NICE! He had called like 5 times over an hour and then went back on the ship. His last call was at 4:19 and I woke at 4:25. He then tried again at 5:15 and got a hold of me, so we went to get him for one more night together. It was good to have him home and at least for me the goodbye was much easier this morning. However I get to spend the day exhausted again! SO there will most likely be another nap today!

D-day

8:23 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
Deployment day that is!
Andrew is on the boat. The original plan was to Take him to the ship last night about 8pm. BUT well plans changed.... I could not say good bye last night I opted for one more night with my husband, one more chance to put our girls to bed together, one more morning where I wake and he IS there next to me! No matter what.... I could always use just one more!
So this morning Andrew and I woke at 4:45. He loaded all his stuff into the car, I made a breakfast to go for the girls and packed a change of clothes for them as well as we were unsure how traffic would be and if we'd make it HOME to get ready for school or have to change in the car. When everything was ready we scooped the kids up in jammies and were out of the house by 5:25 am. We did have a bit of a wait getting on to the base but were in the dreaded parking lot by 6:10 am. Up until this point I had held up very well!
Andrew and I get out of the car, He pulls each of the girls out for a couple minutes to talk to and say good bye to each of them. They of course do great, they are troopers. Meghan and Melanie understand why he has to leave and know all the things we have planned for while he is gone and are looking forward and even though they miss daddy a ton they know we will have lots of fun too. Katelynn I do not think will really get it until Daddy does not get home for a while so only time will tell!
With all the girls back in their seats it was my turn to say goodbye.... I HATE GOODBYES! I know everything will be fine I know we'll get through But it is just so hard to let him go to watch him walk away and KNOW this is the last I will see of him for nearly 5 months. We really are close we do everything together, he is my best friend, the love of my life. When he is gone my heart goes with him. So for now My heart is out to sea....

Dance Dance Dance

9:02 PM Posted In Edit This 0 Comments »
Melanie had her Dance recital for 2009 This weeekend. Here are a few photo's of our little dancer!





Just Melanie


Two Melanies They LOVE that they have the same Name too funny!

The Girls before the show

One Of Mel on Stage!

All is well in the womb!

4:30 PM Edit This 3 Comments »
Andrew and I went to our first OBGYN appointment today. I have been so nervous the last two days I can not even explain. After our Miscarriage last year we were a bit cautious finding out we were prego again. It is hard to get excited once you have faced the awful truth that things do not always work out the way you want.
As you can see by the photo on the right ALL is well. Our little gummy bear is growing and wriggling and her little heart is beating away! Words can not describe the relief I felt seeing that little heart flicker away on the screen. Tears rolled down my cheeks. It was the most beautiful site I have ever seen! Just what this momma needed to relax and enjoy her pregnancy!
They set My due date at Dec. 22nd. SO we'll be welcoming our new addition around the 15th I would say depending on when they can get me in for the c-section.

Making Mischief

7:17 AM Edit This 1 Comment »
Of one kind AND another!

That is Miss Kate..... She can not be trusted for a minute if she is out of sight you can pretty much guarantee she is into something she is not supposed to be in to. Yesterday was a prime example of Kate on a rampage, I would LOVE to know what is going on in her mind when she sets out.

We were out of the house ALL day. She had spend the Day with Aunt Kristy so that I could go on a field trip with Melanie. We returned home at 5pm and I cooked dinner, we ate at 5:30, about 6pm the girls all went up stairs and played nicely (or so I thought) I went up stairs at 6:45 to start bath time. When I get to the top of the steps I find a tube of toothpaste which is totally covered in the toothpaste that was once in side I knew at this point I was in for a clean up! I ask Meg and Mel where Kate is to which they reply "I donno". Mel says um...... There is tooth paste all over the table mom. OK so she knows there is tooth paste on the table BUT apparently did not see HOW it got there OR where the culprit went! I follow the toothpaste feet prints down the hall to find Kate standing on the toilet in the girls bathroom totally covered in tooth paste and painting the bathroom. So I throw her in the bath tub and walk to my bathroom to get cleaning supplies only to find a trail of opened tampons through my bedroom into the bathroom. Upon returning to the other bathroom I walk past meg and Mel's room and see that the entire lower level of the closet is on the floor.

ARGH!!!!! Really when did she have time to create this mess. an hour tops if she set right to work on her evil plan. Honestly this had to be planned My two year old plotted against me on this night! SHE WON!

It's like waiting for the storm.....

7:21 AM Edit This 2 Comments »
In Eighteen days My husband will be leaving on deployment. During this time when you know that day is coming so very fast all I want to do is just be with him. However,this is not the calm before the storm we have so MUCH to get done before he leaves there are things that ONLY he can do and we avoid them because we do not want to have him spend one of the few days we have organizing the garage and yet it HAS to be done, we HAVE to clear the space to put his truck away for deployment (it is a manual and I can not drive it). There are also so many things we have wanted to do and kept saying we will do that before you leave again, and we are down to our last couple weekends. To make matters worse he is on a crappy duty rotation at work which had him "on Duty" every third day(he goes in in the morning and has to spend the night and if the next day is a reg. work day has to stay for that day as well). The last weekend he is home which would be memorial day weekend we have Melanie's dance recital which means dress rehearsal on sat. and recital on Sunday. Then Andrew has Duty on Memorial day we are just so lucky with how duty falls! Tuesday is a regular work day so he will be home about dinner time and we will have to take him back to the ship before we put the girls to bed because The ship leaves on that Wednesday. It all seems to be coming so very fast and like a big storm you never know until it is here how bad it will be. Well I know I will be an emotional puddle the night he leaves and that will most likely be an emotional night for the girls as well. The unpredictability comes with the girls it is hard to judge how well or haw hard they will take dad leaving. This is the first time that Kate will really get t hat daddy is leaving for a long time. She seemed to do well last year, but having that under her belt I think she'll really miss him this time. Meghan and Melanie are pretty rational about it but we still have those days when they get all teary about daddy not being here. So what will this deployment bring for us..... Only time will tell!

Bad Mommy Moment!

5:55 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
I totally dropped the ball today! Melanie was supposed to have a tech rehearsal for her dance recital at 11:15 this morning. It was written on the calendar and everything! I totally forgot it occurred to me at 4pm when I looked at the calendar. I got up this morning with a plan to get all the Laundry done and the bedding on all the beds changed. I was feeling like for the first time in the last couple weeks that I was really making progress. I was not tired I had some energy.... apparently my brain was the only thing I was lacking today!

WHAT a Weekend.... Busy Busy Busy!

6:55 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
So Saturday was a very busy day. Andrew had Duty Friday night and got home about 9:30 am Saturday morning. We were all up and fed and the children had just being booted from the HUGE moon sand disaster they made in the dinning room. I was on the phone with mom and also working of a side dish for our Sunday picnic with Family. Once I got off the phone and finished the side dish and cleaned the kitchen a bit I was off to the shower. Melanie had dance at 11:45 so While I was getting ready Andrew fed the kids some lunch and even packed me a to-go lunch (which was very sweet of him). Sat. morning is not our regular dance day however, Melanie's dance class is combined with 2 other classes for the big recital coming up in May, so they were invited to join the other classes on several dates so as to be prepared for the big production. Dance was done at 12:30 and we were off to a birthday Party for one of Melanie's classmates. I enjoy going to the birthdays and chatting with the other parents and seeing the kids interact with the kids form their class is always fun. Andrew HATES these events and is happy to hold down the fort at home with the others. It is nice to spend time with just one or even just two of the girls from time to time. While we were gone Meghan and Andrew vegged out together and Kate got her nap in which is always a good thing. Melanie and I returned home at 3:30pm.


Saturday Night was a big night for Meghan. She had her first sleep over, this one was with her girl scout troop leader and was an organized event and I was sure she was in good hands and would have a ball. She wavered back and forth all week about whether or not she should go. She was nervous to be away from home and was sure she'd miss us. She was also extremely excited about the idea of being with all of her friends overnight. It was hard to watch her struggle to make the best choice. I waned her to go I want her to be comfortable and have fun with her friends, but I was also thinking she's so little its OK if she does not do this YET! In the end this was her decision to make. Saturday came and it was all excitement and she was ready to go by 10 am when she did not even need to be there until 4pm. As it turned out she did have a ball, and could not stop beaming all the way home about how much fun she had.


Andrew and I had also made plans to go out to dinner Saturday night just the two of us. It had been a year since our last date night, so we thought it was about time for some one on one time with each other. A friend of mine had offered to watch the girls for me a couple months back and the time just never seemed to work out right until this weekend so we went for it. I have been wanting to go to Benihanna's for a while now, It is a Japanese restaurant with Hibachi tables, and I just LOVE the food. I was not disappointed this time and hope to go back again soon it was a delicious meal and a nice evening with my honey!


Today we met up with Andrew's two brothers, and their families (both brothers are also in the Navy and stationed here). The park we intended to go to was packed and no tables or grills were available so we ended up going to a different park after driving around a while trying to find a place. We got started an hour and a half late but were able to have fun and enjoy each other's company in the end and that is what matters. It is a blessing to have family near us, and I enjoy getting everyone together. While we were there Melanie ended up getting hurt while playing on the playground she hit her mouth on a metal set of binoculars and cut her gums pretty good. We got the bleeding under control pretty quick and the teeth are not loose BUT it looks bad. I am thinking I will call the dentist tomorrow and see if I can get her in to have it checked just to be sure there is no permanent damage.


Now we are home and relaxing before we start another BUSY week made even more crazy by adding in swim lessons!

New Hair Cut

11:28 AM Edit This 0 Comments »
On Monday I went and got my hair cut. I was going for a slightly shorter version of what I already had. It is shorter alright! I do not hate it but I also do not Love it. Although it is really easy to do so that is a plus. Andrew says it looks good, but I really think he would never say it didn't look good, cause' he knows better!

I figure probably in a couple weeks it will be exactly what I wanted. Although each day I fix it myself I like it a bit more. which is good because there is kind of no turning back at this point!

I am also Moving back towards blond in the color already, It seems to get lighter all the time. I guess you can't hide your true colors too long.

Who knew it was so hard to keep secrets from your kids?

1:20 PM Edit This 4 Comments »
So BIG news in the Olmsted house. We are once again Expecting, our new little addition is due Dec. 20th. I am currently 5 weeks pregnant, and Andrew and I could not be more thrilled.
We have not told the girls yet they will be thrilled when we do, But I am being cautious. We were pregnant this time last year and told the girls right away, they were so very excited to have a new baby on the way. I was due Dec. 6th last year. We were devastated when at 10 weeks we found out the baby had stopped growing at 7 weeks and had no heart beat. Having already had three healthy babies with no complications I was really shocked that this had happen. Telling Meghan and Melanie that the baby was not coming after all was truly the hardest thing I have ever had to do. We told them then that maybe we would have a baby next year. They have been asking since January when we would have a baby, and I just could not bare to break there hearts again. We have an appointment for an ultra sound on May 19th and I will be 9 weeks at that point. We plan on telling them after we see the heart beat.
To get back to the title, It is really hard with them not knowing. They are always around and even though I have told people, I can not talk about it because they are there and Melanie is the worst for listening in on adult conversations she does not miss a thing.
I figure I can post on here my thoughts and concerns and excitement and at least give myself the illusion that I am talking about this huge event in my life right now that I am having to keep secret for another month.

A "meme"..... Why? Because I am not doing anything productive right now ... why NOT!

8:27 PM Edit This 0 Comments »
A questionnaire... about ME!

1. My uncle once : Once Promised to take me to a Broadway show, but never actually got around to taking me.

2. Never in my life : Have I took a single puff of a cigarette

3. When I was seventeen : I was young and in Love and Naive about so much!

4. High School was : Good Most of the time.

5. I will never forget : The first time My husband said "I love you", & Seeing each of my babies for the first time.

6. I once met : A man who changed the way I saw my future... So I married him!

7. There’s this girl I know who : Used to be one of my best friends, We had a huge falling out and only years later did I come to realize I have her to thank for the wonderful life I have now.

8. Once, at a bar : Hmmm.... I do not have a bar memory that stands out.

9. By noon, I’m usually : Home from my second of three trips to the school that I make ever day!

11. If only I had : Money Lots and LOTS of money! I could pay everything off, buy a house and have NO worries!

12. Next time I go to gym/church : gym... LOL I am too self conscious to go to gym, Church.... I'd like to find a church I feel comfortable at, here!

13. Susan Boyle : Is a very humble lady who was given an amazing gift of a singing voice and a nice dose of self confidence to go with it
.
14. What worries me most : The impending separation from my husband, and the unknown of so many things that could happen in the next months.

15. When I turn my head left, I see : The fish Tank.

16. When I turn my head right, I see : The couch.

17. You know I’m lying when : I don't know I am not a very good Liar so I try not to.

18. What I miss most about the eighties :The innocence of child hood.

19. If I was a character in Shakespeare, I’d be : a star crossed lover... LOL

20. By this time next year : Hmmm..... I hope that we will be looking to move back east.

21. A better name for me would be : I can not think of a better name BUT I would like to add a y to t he one I have and remove the space so... JayneAnn

22. I have a hard time understanding : Katelynn when she sings her little made up songs.

23. If I ever go back to school, I’ll : be a nurse!

24. You know I like you if : I invite you to my home.

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be : Andrew, and My Mom and Dad.

26. When I compare 80’s rock to 90’s rock : Um.... I can say I could tell you which was which.

27. Take my advice, never : Ignore your instinct!

28. My ideal breakfast is : A raisin Bagel with cream cheese, and a cup of hot tea.

29. A song I love, but do not own is : There are so Many I can not pin point one.... Um ... Not sure nothing jumps out.

30. If you visit my hometown, I suggest : Meaning where I currently live.... I would say Let's hit the Beach You must put your feet in the pacific ocean.

31. My favorite Beatle is : Yeah I do not have a favorite Beatle ... I'd be lucky to be able to name them!

32. Why won’t people : Mind their own business.

33. If you spend the night at my house : I'd be thrilled I love to have visitors.

34. I’d stop my wedding for : I do not really get this one... I guess I would have stopped my wedding for a medical emergencies or if one of the kids had gotten hurt.

35. The world could do without : Whew.... Drugs.... War..... Guns

36. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than : than eat it.... LOL

37. My favorite blonde is : Phoebe Buffey! If she was a true blonde which I am not sure of!

38: Paper clips are more useful than : Tape??

39. If I do anything well, it’s : you are asking the wrong person... I am very critical of me! I guess keep my word.

40. And by the way : It is time for bed!
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